The difficulties for Latsi and Mitai in non-AEK reality

In the summer of 2020, AEK made plans and dreams for two footballers who were then treated by the club as the two biggest projects in their squad.

The then 17-year-old Mario Mitai, who had been brought in from the team’s academies, and the 18-year-old Ziga Latsi, who had been taken on half a year earlier, were indeed two very interesting cases.

Indeed this season, first with Massimo Carrera on the bench and then Manolo Jimenez at the helm, there has been ample space and time for the two youngsters in a team struggling to find a competitive identity. However, her performances were quite good considering her young age and inexperience.

Albanian Mitai finished the season with 13 competitive games and two assists, while Slovenia’s Laci also featured in the same number of games, turning a pass into a goal.

A very promising start was given, but it had no corresponding sequel. The very next season, AEK fielded a new roster with many additions at the end of the summer, hoping to achieve a championship. So there was no room for her…

This false impression created within the walls deprived both players of the opportunity to play a full season and develop further. In the end, AEK had a season that got them out of Europe, meaning things couldn’t get much worse if they played in place of acquired players. However, they had the opportunity to win many games in the second division championship, with AEK B.

The future that didn’t exist and fleeing abroad

During summer training, Almeida saw her good sides and had plans for her. He intended to keep her in the first team but her playing time could not be guaranteed. He wanted to work with them, improve them like he’s doing with Radonia now. However, they wished for something else.

Meanwhile, Lokomotiv Moscow’s irresistible €3 million bid led Mitai out of AEK. The player wanted to leave, the Union could not block his way, since he also asked for it, especially for such a sum. So the 19-year-old left-back is trying to make his footballing fortunes in Russia.

To date, however, he has struggled to find time and role in a team that appears to be fighting for his rescue as he sits 14th overall after 14 games in the league. Mitai has only been ‘fit’ in the team 7 times and counts all 4 appearances, all as substitutes and with few minutes on the pitch.

Latsi is still owned by AEK. He no longer wanted to play in the second team and asked for a loan to a first division club. He found Koper in his native Slovenia, a team in second place overall, eight points behind leaders Olimpia, who are said to be the clear favorites to win the title.

The 20-year-old Stopper only played for the first time three days ago. He started the 2-2 draw with NK Randomlie but was cautioned and substituted shortly after the first half, perhaps because the Koper manager feared he would concede a second time and be sent off.

A difficult and unsuccessful debut for the 19-year-old centre-back who is looking for his chance at home but may end up regretting not being left behind to get another full season in AEK B.